RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 313, 30 September 1926, Page 12

RUGBY

SOUTHLAND DEFEAT HAWKE’S BAY CLOSE SHAVE FOR HOME SIDE BY Telegraph.—press association. Invercargill, September 29. Southland played its last Rugby representative game to-day when it met aud defeated Hawke’s Bay by 10 points to 3. after a good 'exhibition of the game which was interesting and fast throughout. Rugby Park was in good order but light rain fell as tlie match commenced, making the ball greasy and difficult to handle. There was a large attendance. When Southland kicked off, they had the better of the opening exchanges and the backs went away in a bright .passing movement. McAuliffe cut in nicely but went too far and was cellared. Mahoney broke away from a loose scrum but the visitors forced. Hawke's Bay were getting the ball from the scrums and throwing it about in good style, but the Southland tackling was very solid. The home forwards broke through in a great rush that had the visitors in trouble but a force down relieved. A good kick by Chislev saw Southland on the defence but Kilby relieved with a mark. The visitors’ backs came away in a passing rush, and B. Grenside made a good bid for the line, but he slipped and fell short. Hawke’s Bay continued to throw the ball about but tho greasy state of the leather hampered their movements. The visitors’ forwards were very keen and were penalised for off-side play with monotonous regularity. Mill was getting the ball away smartly but the movements generally were stopped by Chisley who found the conditions not at all to his liking. The visitors’ forwards started a passing rush and the ball eventually came out to the backs but Chisley was grassed bv Brown. The visitors continued to hammer away but off-side tactics were spoiling their efforts. The home forwards were attacking strongly when half-time was called with no score.

The Southland forwards attacked on the resumption, and a fumble by Chisley had Hawke’s Bay in difficulties, but a force-down relieved. vThe home forwarrts came again,. Kilby and Shanks carrying on to the twenty-five, where the visitors were penalised, but Kilby missed. Offside play was costing the visitors a lot of ground, and from one infringement McAuliffe kicked a goal. Southland 3, Hawke’s Bay 0.

Kilby stood out in a sparkling run. From the kick-off he dashed upfield and ran half the- length of the paddock, being grassed by Yates, who was injured in the encounter, but continued to play. Grenside got his boot to a dropping ball and shifted play to the home twentyfive. Oughton broke away in a solo dribble, but the ball went. out. McAuliffe chopped in on the throw-in and caught the visitors napping to score in the corner. He missed the kick. Southland 6. Hawke’s Bay 0. Southland were having the better of the game at this stage, the forwards going "great guns’’ in the loose. However, the visitors were having the better ot the tight, and were giving then backs plenty of chances, of which they could not. take advantag. having difficulty in holding tho wet ball. Yates retired and was replaced by Paewai. The visitors kept up the pressure, and were rewarded when, after a spirited passing rush, B. Grenside scored in the corner. Chisley missed the goal. Southland 6, Hawke's Bay 3. The home forwards set up a hot attack on the resumption, and a scrum was formed close to goal. The ball was passed back to Kilby, who potted a neat goal. Southland 10, Hawke's .Bay 3. Southland continued to attack. Shanks and McAuliffe broke away, but the latter was grassed tn a solid tackle by McDonald. Geddes made a bold bid for tho line, dived, but fell short. Play shifted quickly 'to the other end, Boise breaking through. He was tackled by Shanks. A beautiful passing run by the visiting backs saw B. Grenside over the lino. He raced round to ground under the posts, but in the end the ball slipped from his hand, and McAuliffe forced. It was a lucky escape for Southland. This was tho last incident of a sparkling game that ended: Southland 1(1. Hawke’s Bay 3. Mr. R. Barnett was referee. WAIKATO DEFEAT HAWKE’SBAY. By Telegram.—Press Association. Hamilton, September 29. The Waikato Rugby football representatives defeated the Hawke’s Bay team by 22 points to 13 to-day, in a fast, spectacular game. Tlie visitors did not possess as good combination as Waikato, whose clean, crisp passing was pretty to watch. For Waikato, Montgomerie, Courtney, Kemp, Buckingham, Thompson, and Cayley scored tries, Montgomerie converting two. Conrad scored an unconverted trv for Hawke’s Bay.